Why You Should Be Lifting Weights if You Have Type 2 Diabetes

From everydayhealth.com 

While regular aerobic exercise can help you keep your blood sugar levels in check and boost your overall health, people with diabetes can benefit from regular weight lifting, or strength training, as well. In fact, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends strength training 2–3 times per week in addition to performing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise).

Before starting a new exercise routine, talk with your doctor about any special considerations you need to make. Complications of type 2 diabetes, such as heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, blood pressure issues, and osteoporosis, can influence which forms of strength training are healthiest for you.

How Lifting Weights May Make Managing Type 2 Diabetes Easier

Diabetes is marked by the body’s inability to process glucose and use insulin efficiently, but strength training can help with these issues in various ways.

Burns Up Blood Sugar

Strength training relies primarily on the body’s glycolytic, or glucose-using, metabolic system for energy. “As we go through a strength training workout, we use stored muscle glycogen for fuel,” says Nick Occhipinti, CSCS, an exercise physiologist based in Red Bank, New Jersey. “Once this stored muscle glycogen runs out, we start to mobilize extra glycogen from the liver and from the blood. This [process] helps directly decrease blood glucose as well as deplete stored muscle and liver glycogen stores, giving blood glucose a place to go next time you eat.”

Improves Glucose Storage

Your muscles serve as storage facilities for consumed sugar and carbohydrates. “Trained muscle has a higher capacity to store blood glucose in the form of glycogen, aiding in lowering blood glucose,” says Occhipinti. The result: Lowered blood sugar levels and easier glucose management.

Spurs Weight Loss

Apart from burning calories during your workouts, strength training promotes fat loss by increasing levels of lean muscle mass. “Muscle is one of the few metabolically active tissues in the body at total rest,” says Occhipinti. “This means that even as we sit around and watch football or sit at a desk and work, the muscle we have on our body is serving to burn calories.”

In people carrying extra weight, losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can improve A1C scores, the 2- to 3-month average of blood sugar levels.

Targets Harmful Belly Fat

Abdominal fat (also called visceral fat) exacerbates insulin resistance and complicates blood sugar management, says Occhipinti, explaining that, in addition to storing energy, visceral fat cells produce chemicals and hormones that inhibit the body’s effective use of insulin. Fortunately, resistance training combined with moderate endurance training and a restrictive diet can be effective at reducing visceral fat levels.

6 Tips for Strength Training With Diabetes

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The ADA suggests people with type 2 diabetes engage in 2–3 strength training sessions per week on non-consecutive days. Here are some strategies to help you get the most benefits from your strength training sessions.

1. Talk to Your Healthcare Team

As with any exercise program, check with your healthcare team before starting a weight training regimen, making a point to discuss your blood sugar management specifically.

“People don’t typically associate strength training with low blood sugar, but some patients will have significant impacts on blood sugar with strength training,” says Wilson. Your doctor may recommend testing your blood sugar level before, during, and after exercise, as well as eating carbohydrates around workout time to prevent or address hypoglycaemia, she adds.

2. Ask for Help

“To gain more health benefits from physical activity programs, participation in supervised training is recommended over non-supervised programs,” says Wilson. For guidance, consider working out with a certified trainer or joining a weight training class, both of which are available in person and virtually.

3. Focus on the Body’s Largest Muscle Groups

Occhipinti recommends working on your gluteal muscles, hamstrings, quadriceps, latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and chest muscles. Some of the best strength exercises that target these muscle groups are compound, multijoint movements such as squats, lunges, deadlifts, hamstring curls, rows, lat pull-downs, chest presses, and push-ups, he says.

4. Follow a Plan

Mapping out what you want your workouts to look like can help you make and keep a routine, says Audra Wilson, RD, CSCS, a bariatric dietitian and strength and conditioning specialist at the Northwestern Medicine Metabolic Health and Surgical Weight Loss Center at Delnor Hospital in Geneva, Illinois.

If you plan to strength train two or three times per week, she says you’re better off making all of your workouts total body workouts. However, if your strength training is going to be more frequent, such as four or five days per week, alternating between upper body and lower body workouts, or push and pull workouts, can help ensure that each muscle group still gets the recovery time it needs.

Wilson recommends trying new variations of your favourite exercise or altering your number of sets or reps every 8–12 weeks to keep your workouts — and results — progressing.

5. Prioritize Recovery

Giving yourself one (if not two) days in between working a particular muscle group can allow it time to repair while still training it with sufficient frequency to adapt and grow, says Wilson. Great recovery day options include foam rolling, stretching, and low-intensity cardio like walking or cycling.

6. Consider Multiple Tools

Barbells, dumbbells, and weight machines can be useful strength training tools, but they aren’t mandatory, says Occhipinti. Resistance bands, filled duffle bags, and other household items are also effective in loading the muscles and are particularly great for helping you log more at-home workouts.

How Strength Training Helps Protect Against Diabetes Complications

By improving insulin health and lowering high blood sugar levels, strength training helps guard against some of the complications of type 2 diabetes. But it takes on diabetes complications in other ways, too.

Improves Heart Health

Type 2 diabetes is a leading risk factor in the development of heart disease. Fortunately, strength training increases levels of HDL cholesterol in the body while reducing LDL cholesterol levels, says Occhipinti. It also helps lower high blood pressure (hypertension).

Boosts Bone Density

While people with type 2 diabetes often have normal bone mineral density scores, they are at a heightened risk of bone fracture. Fortunately, weight-bearing strength training, especially performed from a standing position, helps build strength in the bones of the legs, spine, and hips, reducing the risk of bone breaks, says Wilson.

Prevents Age-Related Muscle Loss

Type 2 diabetes is an independent risk factor for accelerated declines in muscle strength. Research links severe age-related muscle degradation called sarcopenia to loss of physical function and increased risk of falls, hospitalization, and early death.

Conversely, building muscle through strength training directly combats this muscle loss that can occur through the decades.

Reduces the Risk of Peripheral Neuropathy and Vision Loss

“When you have chronically high blood sugar, glucose molecules start attaching themselves to everything, including your red blood cells, preventing healthy blood flow in many places in the body where you have very small blood vessels,” says Occhipinti.

It just so happens that the eyes and nerves of the hands and feet have these small vessels. When these areas don’t get the blood flow they need, peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy can occur. Strength training improves blood flow to reduce the risk of these complications, says Occhipinti.

The Takeaway

• Adults with type 2 diabetes should strength train 2–3 times per week, combining weight lifting with aerobic exercise for optimal blood sugar control.
• Strength training supports diabetes management by directly lowering blood glucose for energy, increasing the muscles' capacity to store glucose, promoting lean muscle mass, and targeting visceral belly fat.
• When starting a weightlifting regimen, individuals should first consult their healthcare team, focus on large muscle groups, use various tools like resistance bands and free weights, and prioritize adequate recovery time between sessions.
• Beyond managing blood sugar, lifting weights regularly helps protect against serious diabetes complications by improving cardiovascular health, boosting bone density to reduce fracture risks, combating age-related muscle loss, and improving blood flow to protect nerve and vision health.
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• https://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/why-to-lift-weights-with-type-2-diabetes/

7 Sneaky Signs Your Blood Sugar Is Too High, According to Dietitians

From eatingwell.com

High blood sugar isn't always obvious—these are the warning signs dietitians want you to know 

KEY POINTS

• High blood sugar can develop gradually and may not cause noticeable symptoms early on.
• Symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination and blurry vision may signal issues.
• Lifestyle changes, like a balanced diet, can help manage or prevent high blood sugar.

The signs and symptoms of elevated blood sugar are easy to overlook, mistake or miss altogether. This is especially true for type 2 diabetes, which can go undiagnosed for many years. "Undiagnosed diabetes is more common than many people think," says Mary Ellen Phipps, MPH, RDN, LD. "According to the CDC, 11 million adults meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes, but don't know they have it."

Why are so many people unaware? "Many people with mild to moderately high blood sugar, especially in prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes, may have no noticeable symptoms at all," says Jackie Topol, M.S., RD, CDN. Plus, high blood sugar tends to develop gradually, and in its early stages, symptoms may be subtle or absent altogether.

The good news is that early intervention can make a difference, says Phipps. Whether you have a family history of high blood sugar or diabetes or just want to be proactive about your health, here are some signs of high blood sugar to watch for.

                                                                                           Credit: Getty Images. EatingWell design

1. You're Thirsty All the Time

Is your thirst unquenchable? Are you making more frequent trips to the bathroom? When blood sugar levels are high, these symptoms often go hand in hand.

"Excess sugar in the blood results in the kidneys working harder to get rid of it," says Maria Elena Fraga, RD, CDCES, CDN. "The kidneys draw in water from your tissues to dilute the glucose so it can be excreted via the urine, resulting in more frequent trips to the bathroom."

As your body loses water and electrolytes through increased urination, thirst can ramp up, causing you to drink more fluids. If you're drinking sugary beverages such as juice, sports drinks or soda, that can cause blood sugar levels to climb even higher. 

2. You're Hungry All the Time

"Your body converts the food you eat into glucose, later used by your cells for energy," says Fraga. However, sometimes, that glucose is unable to enter your cells. This can happen if your body doesn't produce enough insulin, the hormone that helps move glucose into cells, or if the insulin it produces isn't used efficiently.

The result? "The inability to use glucose causes a lack of energy, which can make you hungrier than usual," says Fraga. 

In some cases, excessive hunger accompanied by weight loss can be a sign of diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes. If you're eating enough but still feel constantly hungry and are also losing weight, it's important to seek evaluation from a health care professional.

3. Your Vision Is Blurry 

High blood sugar can affect the small blood vessels in the eyes, resulting in blurry vision that may come and go, sometimes long before a diabetes diagnosis is made. Over time, this can damage the retina of your eye, resulting in a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. In fact, the American Diabetes Association recommends that all people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes receive a dilated eye exam shortly after diagnosis.

4. You're Always Tired

Remember how your cells need glucose for fuel? A lack of insulin, insulin resistance or a combination of both can prevent cells from taking in glucose from the bloodstream to use for energy. Without the proper fuel, you can feel very tired and fatigued. 

5. You Keep Getting Urinary Tract Infections

Research suggests that nearly 40% of people living with diabetes experience urinary tract infections (UTIs).  That's because the body works to get rid of excess blood sugar by increasing urine output. While that may help lower sugar in the bloodstream, it can also lead to increased bacterial growth that can cause UTIs, says Fraga.

6. You Develop Dark Spots and Skin Tags

Dark velvety patches in skin creases—such as the neck, armpits, fingers and groin—may be a sign of a diabetes-related condition called acanthosis nigricans.  It is caused by high insulin levels, "which can be an early sign of prediabetes, diabetes [or] insulin resistance," says Fraga.

But these aren't the only skin changes linked to high blood sugar. Skin tags, dermatitis, bacterial and fungal infections and dry, itchy skin can also be subtle signs of elevated blood sugar.

7. You Have Other Unexplained Symptoms 

Not everyone will experience the same symptoms, and some are more common than others. "Hair loss and dry skin, nausea, wounds that won't heal, tingling in the fingers and toes, and dry mouth are other symptoms of high blood sugar," says Phipps. Sexual health issues may also occur, including decreased libido or erectile dysfunction in men and vaginal dryness in women.

Strategies for Managing High Blood Sugar

Elevated blood sugar occurs when sugar in the form of glucose accumulates in your blood, says Topol. We get glucose from carbohydrate-containing foods such as bread, rice, pasta and fruits. "After digestion, glucose enters the blood and is used by the body for energy," she explains. "Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, assists in moving glucose from the blood into the cells. If a person doesn't make insulin or can't use it properly (as in insulin resistance), sugar stays in the bloodstream instead of being used for energy."

Managing blood sugar often comes down to consistent lifestyle habits that support how your body uses glucose. While medical care is essential for diagnosis and treatment, certain daily behaviours can help improve blood sugar control over time.

• Stay physically active. Regular exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, making it easier for cells to use glucose for energy. Even moderate movement, like walking, can make a difference.
• Focus on balanced meals. Eating a mix of fibre-rich carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fats can help prevent blood sugar spikes and promote steadier energy levels.
• Maintain a healthy weight. For some people, even modest weight loss can improve insulin function and blood sugar control.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking is linked to insulin resistance and can worsen blood sugar regulation over time.
• Manage other health conditions. Keeping conditions like high blood pressure under control can support overall metabolic health.

While lifestyle changes can make a meaningful impact, they're not a substitute for medical care. In some cases, these habits may even help delay or improve type 2 diabetes. If you're concerned about your blood sugar, a simple blood test from a health care provider can help guide next steps.

Our Expert Take

Elevated blood sugar is not always accompanied by symptoms. However, there are some sneaky signs to be aware of. If you have high blood sugar, targeted lifestyle changes—like a blood sugar-friendly diet, exercise and weight loss, if indicated—can make a meaningful difference. The first and most impactful change you can make is to assess your eating habits. If you need assistance planning meals specific to your food preferences and culture or discovering which foods work best for your body, consider meeting with a registered dietitian. These nutrition experts can provide personalized guidance on the best ways to structure your meals and snacks for better blood sugar and overall health. 

https://www.eatingwell.com/sneaky-signs-your-blood-sugar-is-too-high-11981073

USA: FDA Clears First Over-the-Counter Continuous Glucose Monitor for Children

From fda.gov/news-events

June 12, 2026: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared for marketing the first over-the-counter (OTC) continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for children, Dexcom Inc.’s Stelo Glucose Biosensor System, an integrated CGM (iCGM) indicated for people two years of age and older who do not use insulin. The FDA previously cleared the Stelo Glucose Biosensor System OTC for individuals 18 years and older in March 2024.

“Children deserve access to the best tools available to manage their health," said Center for Devices and Radiological Health Director Michelle Tarver, M.D., Ph.D. "Today's clearance reflects the FDA's commitment to fostering innovation for paediatric patients and supporting the safe and effective use of medical devices where children live, learn, and play.”

Prediabetes is increasingly impacting children in the United States, placing millions at heightened risk for progressing to Type 2 diabetes. OTC CGMs can play a critical role in addressing this public health concern for paediatric users who do not use insulin. By providing real-time glucose data, these devices can help paediatric patients and their caregivers build greater glycaemic awareness, track patterns in response to meals and exercise, and make informed adjustments to support healthier long-term outcomes and quality of life.

The product is indicated for children, including those with diabetes, who receive oral medication to manage their condition and people who want to understand how diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes affect their glucose levels.

The Stelo Glucose Biosensor System uses a wearable sensor, paired with an application installed on a compatible smartphone, or other smart device, such as a parent’s or caregiver’s smartphone, to continuously measure, record, analyse and display glucose values. Each sensor lasts for up to 15 days before it must be replaced, although sensor wear time may be shorter in paediatric users than in adults due to several interconnected physiological and behavioural factors. The app displays glucose measurements and trends every 15 minutes. Users and their caregivers should consult their health care provider before making any medication adjustments based on the device’s output.

This clearance is an example of the FDA’s use of real-world evidence (RWE) to support regulatory decision-making. Dexcom and the FDA used previous clinical study data from both paediatrics and adults, along with RWE derived from real-world data on current iCGM use among both groups, to understand expected device performance in paediatric users over the full 15-day wear period.

Participants in the previous study reported mild adverse events including local infection, skin irritation, and pain or discomfort.

For children, the device should be used under the supervision of an adult caregiver. Importantly, this system is not for people with problematic hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) because it is not designed to alert users when this potentially dangerous condition occurs. This system is also not for people on dialysis. People with a history of disordered eating or eating disorders should talk with their health care provider before using Stelo.

This clearance is also aligned with the FDA’s Home as a Health Care Hub Initiative, which focuses on advancing the development of innovative, patient-centred devices that fit more seamlessly into people’s daily lives at home.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-clears-first-over-counter-continuous-glucose-monitor-children 

'Artificial pancreas helps me live without limits'

From bbc.co.uk

A woman with type 1 diabetes has said an artificial pancreas that helps her manage her condition is "brilliant".

Chloe Hammond, 25, from Northampton, was diagnosed with diabetes as a toddler and said the technology monitored her blood sugar levels automatically, delivering insulin when needed.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the immune system attacking cells in the pancreas that control blood sugar levels and affects about 400,000 people in the UK.

Hammond, who enjoys an active lifestyle and plays ice hockey for Milton Keynes Bolts, said the technology meant she could live "without limitations".

She has had an insulin pump since the age of 10, but benefited from an artificial pancreas when the technology was adopted by the NHS two years ago.

"I have a sensor on my arm; the pump around my waist on a belt," Hammond explained.

"It has a tube that is on a cannula on my stomach. The sensor can track my blood sugar and the pump can relay that information and give a little bit of insulin or stop it.

"The technology has come a long way from constantly carrying around needles. I just wear the device on me – it's brilliant."

Chloe Hammond said playing ice hockey was a way of showing what people with type 1 diabetes were capable of

Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton, Hammond said she enjoyed playing ice hockey and used it as a way to show what people with the condition were capable of.

"If something happens on the ice, people are aware of what it could be. Again, my teammates are thoroughly supportive – they're always checking on me," she said.

"Everyone is supportive of me being in a rough sport with the diabetes."

Hammond added: "It [diabetes] is always on your mind; you're never going to let it slip. It's permanently there for the rest of your life, but you learn to adapt with it.

"Don't let it stop you from doing anything."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8px9753zko

New Oral Diabetes Drug Lowers Blood Sugar and Helps With Weight Loss

From libyaupdate.com

Washington – Results from an international clinical trial show that a new oral drug for type 2 diabetes effectively lowers blood sugar levels and leads to significant weight loss. The drug could provide patients with an easier alternative to injectable treatments.

Researchers, led by Mass General Brigham in the United States, said the new medication may expand options for people with type 2 diabetes. The study was published in The Lancet.

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases. It occurs when the body cannot use insulin properly or does not produce enough, leading to high blood sugar and increased risks of complications such as heart, kidney, nerve, and eye problems.

The researchers tested a new drug called licoglifron, an oral medication still in development. It belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, which includes several drugs already used to treat diabetes and obesity.

Licoglifron mimics the effect of the natural GLP-1 hormone by stimulating insulin release when blood sugar rises. It also reduces production of glucagon, the hormone that raises blood sugar, slows stomach emptying, and increases feelings of fullness. These effects help control weight and improve blood sugar management.

The trial included 406 people with type 2 diabetes in nine countries. Participants were randomly assigned to receive different doses of the drug or a placebo.

After 26 weeks of treatment, up to 72.3% of those taking the drug lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared to just 20.2% in the placebo group. The drug also improved blood sugar control. Up to 89.6% of those who took licoglifron achieved an HbA1c level below 7%—the recommended target for most diabetes patients—while only 24.9% of the placebo group reached this goal.

Researchers highlighted that the drug is taken as a pill, unlike most GLP-1 therapies that require injections. This could make treatment easier for patients in the future.

https://libyaupdate.com/new-oral-diabetes-drug-lowers-blood-sugar-and-helps-with-weight-loss/ 

Infections A ‘Major Health Hazard’ For People With Diabetes, Large Study Warns

From healthday.com

Key Takeaways

• Risk of infection is underrecognized in people with diabetes, a new article argues

• People with diabetes have a higher risk of infections treated by either their doctor or a hospital

• This higher risk applies for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and even those with prediabetes

TUESDAY, June 9, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Diabetes wreaks havoc on the body, doing damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes and other major organs.

But one of the most important health risks from diabetes has not gotten the attention it deserves, researchers argue.

Infections should be considered a major health hazard for anyone with diabetes, according to a new study.

People with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes or even prediabetes have a higher risk of serious infections, researchers reported June 6 in the journal Diabetes.

“Infections are a major health hazard across the diabetes spectrum and are hiding in plain sight. They are common, serious and often preventable, yet they are mostly absent from clinical guidelines,” said lead researcher Julia Critchley, a professor of epidemiology at City St George’s, University of London.

“The number of people living with diabetes across the world is on a dangerously steep rise, and it’s a disservice if we do not treat infection risk as a core part of diabetes care,” Critchley said in a news release. “It cannot be an afterthought.”

For the new study, researchers analysed infection rates of more than 800,000 people with either diabetes or prediabetes, comparing them to more than 1 million healthy people matched based on age, sex and ethnicity.

Results showed that people with diabetes had a substantially higher risk of infections treated by a primary doctor or infections severe enough to put them in the hospital:

• People with type 1 diabetes had an 81% higher risk of doctor-treated infection and more than tripled risk of being hospitalized for infection.

• Those with type 1 diabetes had 51% higher odds of an infection treated by their family doctor and a nearly doubled risk of hospitalization.

• Folks diagnosed as prediabetic had a 35% increased risk of doctor-treated infection and 33% higher risk of hospitalization.

Overall, infections were the third-highest underlying cause of death among people with type 2 diabetes, after heart disease and cancer, researchers found.

Pneumonia and other lower respiratory tract ailments were found to be the most common infections that put patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the hospital.

Sepsis and lower respiratory tract infections also were the most common cause of infection-related death among people with type 2 diabetes, researchers found.

Blood sugar levels were found to be tied to increased infection risk:

• For those with type 1 diabetes, higher average blood sugar led to higher risk of infection.

• For those with type 2 diabetes, fluctuating blood sugar levels were linked to severe infections that required hospitalization.

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“Increased infection risk in diabetes should have greater emphasis in U.K., European and U.S. guidance,” Critchley said. “By refreshing guidance on a global scale, it will increase awareness amongst healthcare workers to aid earlier recognition and prompt intervention, which would help reduce avoidable hospital admissions and deaths.”

More information

Yale School of Medicine has more about diabetes and infection risk.

What This Means For You

People with diabetes should be aware that they have an increased risk of infections.

https://www.healthday.com/health-news/diabetes/infections-a-major-health-hazard-for-people-with-diabetes-large-study-warns